Pyrite

"They owe it to the people"???? REALLY? They don't OWE anything but to their members, donors, staff, and the like. And the tough decision being made to not field was likely explained to all of those parties. If it is a non-Corps issue, then it kinda sounds like "none-ya" business to me. NOW... rather than feeling like you are not getting what you are owed, the organizations have a responsibility to advise the circuit and sponsors, which it would appear they are doing as DCI is supportive.

Curious - what is your role with Platinum that would qualify you to make such an announcement?

Huh? This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with that indoor group, would it? You may recall them. I understand they performed a show that included a head on a platter that shocked the audience?

:D ...And the comeback continues... It is promising to hear Carolina Gold is starting their 2008 momentum early, and yet, not too fast. Good for them!

This topic got me thinking about a high school band director who told a group of us about one student's experience with a Junior Drum Corps... The director received an phone call from a student touring with a junior corps last summer. The student was an out going type, easy to make friends with. When the band director asked if the student was making a lot of friends, the student was hushed...she finally responded that she only had 1 really good friend. This being incredibly unusual for the student, the band director asked more specific questions about what was going on...Was the staff a problem? No. Was the show / work too hard? Challenging, but no. Were the kids cruel? Um...no. After finally narrowing it down, the band director learned from the student that there were activities going on during the bus rides that were embarrassing/degrading/appaling to the student. As described by the student, she and her 1 good friend would hide their faces while other members participated in "orgies". Now - what kids may consider orgies may be different that what the Romans did, but still... That weekend, the band director flew out to meet with the junior corps and with the permission of her ailing mother, brought the student home. That director who always encourged the students to try out for this junior corps (and many did well over the years) vowed to the director of that Corps that not another student from that school would tryout for that corps...in addition, that band director would tell other band directors in the district what had been going on. Tough to imagine this is going on...but it was at least 1 season ago. Skill level of Finalist DCA corps has increased exponentially over the past 20 years. Membership dues are a fraction of what DCI Corps require. If they don't want to join DCA corps because they party too much, or are rude drunkards, then that decision is being influenced by other sources. Who is asking these kids why they would want to join the corps with the reputation of doing cocaine lines before a show...or the corps that had a wicked case of VD going around because there were orgies on the busses? If anything, these kids should be beating down a path to their closest All-age corps. DCA corps are encouraging their younger members to try for DCI with the with the invitation and hope that they will one day return to that DCA organization (some kids do once the DCI season is completed). It is my hope DCI Corps make the experience of Drum Corps something each member would undoubtedly WANT to continue AFTER their age-out. If a younger member does not make a junior corps - I hope they would be encouraged by that DCI corps to join a DCA corps to enrich their skills. I would hope DCI corps would be encouraging their age-outs to continue the activity they have enjoyed so much with a DCA corps. Would doing so tap into the wallets of their now alumni - those requested to help fund the new uniforms, etc? These remarks regarding DCI corps are pretty generalized...I am SURE there are DCI corps out their that will support the DCA activity...I just wish there were more.

LOL - I remember when the RENEGADES went to the Winston Salem show...that was a blast. This would be a perfect performance date for them...yeah...too bad.

^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ BEST NEWS I HAVE HEARD SINCE SEPTEMBER! GOOD FOR GOLD HOORAY FOR DWAYNE LOOK OUT EVERYONE ELSE! <insert evil laughter here> :P PYRITE will make a return for 2008....It will be worth the drive! See you at what will be the most anticipated Open House in History! ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ ^OO^ Looking forward to hearing more from Gold.

Whoever said HW should perform as a mini-corps is right. Keep the brand out there - that is what Gold is doing with GoldRush. I am SURE the membership would be proud of the 21 that would represent them, carrying on the name of their beloved organization until the numbers build again, even if it means sacrificing their spot. It can work. While Gold's reason for not marching this season is different, this could be looked at as an opportunity for HW. They can make the same bold move Carolina Gold is, by moving....forward that is. Check out Gold's message in the annoucement section....seriously. Props to another Board of Directors who, like Gold's, had to made a bold and incredibly tough choice. Hope that in time Heat Wave makes a go at it again...WHEN they do, I will be one of the first to stand and applaud them.